Living in Manavgat and Side: An Alternative to Central Antalya?

People who want to step away from busy central Antalya, Konyaaltı or Lara and find a calmer life that is still close to the sea often look east towards Manavgat and Side. The two names are used together, but one is a district with a broad geography and the other a settlement known for its ancient city and holiday character. This article looks at Manavgat and Side in terms of daily life, transport, seasonality and choosing a home, and tries to give a balanced answer to the question "an alternative to central Antalya?"

Where is Manavgat and how big is it?

Manavgat is a district about 75 km east of Antalya city centre, bordering Serik to the west and Alanya to the east (according to the Küre Encyclopedia entry). Wikipedia gives its population as 252,941 at the end of 2022, and Yolcu360 and the Küre Encyclopedia give 262,576 based on TÜİK's 2024 figures. The latter source also notes a temporary rise in population in summer because of tourism. So Manavgat is one of the most populous districts east of Antalya after Alanya, and calling it "just a holiday town" would not be accurate.

The Manavgat River is the district's most distinctive natural feature: the Küre Encyclopedia says it splits the district centre in two and that the Manavgat Waterfall on it is one of the district's symbols, while Wikipedia notes that two dams on the river generate electricity and that the river irrigates the district's farmland.

Side: ancient city and holiday character

Side is Manavgat's best-known settlement. Wikipedia describes it as an ancient city with a theatre and port; the Küre Encyclopedia says Side was founded in the 7th century BC. Today ancient ruins, historic lanes, cafes, promenades and the hotel zone are woven together. It is visually very attractive, but because of heavy tourist traffic it can be lively, noisy and crowded in summer. Living inside or right next to the ancient town and living in neighbourhoods a few kilometres away can be very different experiences.

Photo: Demonlord1982 / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons

Distance and transport

From Antalya city centre to Side it is about 75 km along the D400, 60 to 90 minutes depending on traffic (Ulaşım Transfer). From Antalya Airport to Side it is roughly 65 km. Manavgat can be reached by intercity bus, minibus or car. That distance remains manageable for someone going into central Antalya a few times a week, but it is a long journey for someone commuting there daily.

For developments around the airport and the region see Antalya Airport expansion in 2026 and our Turkish article on tourist numbers and housing demand.

Economy and daily life: farming alongside tourism

Manavgat's economy does not rest on tourism alone. Wikipedia says agriculture is well developed (livestock, grains, sesame, fruit, vegetables and, recently, olives), that food processing is the only industry and that tourism is the other major source; Yolcu360 highlights citrus, vegetables and greenhouse produce. This mixed structure makes Manavgat more balanced than a pure resort area where life stops in winter: in the district centre shops, markets, public offices and health services work all year. In Side and the coastal settlements the seasonal effect is more pronounced.

On climate, Wikipedia reports a hot-summer Mediterranean climate with average annual precipitation of about 1,115 mm: hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters. As across Antalya, air conditioning and shade in summer and damp and heating in winter are decisive when choosing a home. See our summer heat guide and winter guide (both in Turkish).

Housing options

Around Manavgat and Side you find complexes along the coast, apartment blocks with pools, detached villas and ordinary apartments in the district centre. When looking, pay attention to:

• Location: measure the distance to the district centre, the sea and Side; "near Side" can cover a wide area in listings.
• Year-round services: ask whether management keeps pool, security and cleaning going in winter; see our explainer on service charges.
• Title and occupancy permit: check the title type, the permit and any encumbrances.
• Rental expectations: if you plan holiday lets remember that income is seasonal; see long-term vs holiday lets.
• Annual costs: see the real costs of owning a home in Antalya for taxes, insurance, fees and upkeep.

An alternative to central Antalya?

It depends first of all on what you need. If you work in the centre, your child goes to school in the city or you need frequent hospital visits, the distance to Manavgat and Side can be tiring day to day. If you work remotely, want a calm retirement or are thinking of the area as a second home, it can offer a less dense life woven into nature and history. Visiting in different seasons and at different times of day is the most reliable way to decide. For central alternatives see Lara or Konyaaltı? and Kepez or Aksu?.

Places to visit nearby

Around Side and Manavgat are the Manavgat Waterfall, Lake Titreyengöl and the Sorgun forests (Küre Encyclopedia), and to the west Aspendos. For weekend trips see Perge and Aspendos weekend trips.

Comparing with nearby areas

To weigh Manavgat against its neighbours, see Alanya or central Antalya? and Gazipaşa and eastern Alanya towards the east and living in Kemer for Kemer in the west.

In short

• Manavgat lies about 75 km east of central Antalya; its population is 262,576 according to TÜİK's 2024 figures.
• Side stands out for its ancient city and tourism; the district centre is more balanced thanks to farming and trade.
• Distance matters if you work in the centre; it may be more attractive for remote work or retirement.

To weigh the area against other options, see our page on buying a home in Antalya; for questions, feel free to write to us.

Sources: Wikipedia (Manavgat; TÜİK ADNKS 2022), Küre Encyclopedia (Manavgat district; TÜİK ADNKS 2024), Yolcu360 (Manavgat), Ulaşım Transfer (Antalya–Side distance).

Cover photo: Maksym Kozlenko / CC BY-SA 4.0 — Wikimedia Commons